Electric time switch



Self- 22, 1942-A F. w. srElNx-:R 2,296,407

ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Filed Deo. 8, 1941 v 2 `S11e=;'r,s-Sheet l AQ 53 5M v5 I A G .5o eo 2@ 69 70 e8 b I se N5 '73 'P5 62 ggl'/ 65 5o 2g 8 o e@ Y 83 E7 n J2 '29 1'? Izzi/@22W F 5 indent/ Zz/SZeZ'zzer Sept- 22', 1942- F. w. s'rElNER 2,296,407

ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Filed Dec. 8, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Bjwffjww Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Frederick W. Steiner, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 8, 1941, Serial No. 422,042

( Cl. G-39) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to electric time switches and more particularly to the structural details of the same.

It is th'e main object of the present invention to simplify the construction of electric time switches in order to make the same more compact and to require less space about which the covering elements are disposed.

It is another object of the invention to provide an assembly for time switches which comprises a series of separately assembled units oi the diiferent mechanisms involved, wherein these units having parts adapted to cooperate with one another are merely connected together by the connecting of the supporting structures of each of the mechanisms, and whereupon the operating connecting parts and their respective mechanisms automatically fall into their proper locations for their cooperation with respect to each other.

It is still another object oi the invention to provide parts which are of common design and such' that they may be used in any one of at least two locations in the structure by merely a slight rearrangement of the same.

It is still a more specific object, and a part oi the main object, to provide an arrangement of the levers forming a part of the operating mechanism which is symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal aXis of the clock mechanism,

According to the present invention, the electrical time switch is made up of three units; name- 1y, the spring-operated and powered timing or clock mechanism, a switch-operating mechanism unit, and a switch contact unit. Each of these mechanisms or units has a separate individual supporting structure, and for a complete assemblage of the time switch, these units are merely connected together, the clock mechanism supporting structure in the present instance providing the base-supporting structure to which the switch-operating mechanism unit and the switch contact unit are attached. The switch-operating mechanism is formed of a plate, similar to the plates on the part of the supporting structure for the clock mechanism, which is relieved throughout a portion of the same to permit a projection of the ends of the operating levers mounted on this operating plate to project axially for engagement with the contacting elements forming a part of the Contact mechanism. By having the supporting plate being so relieved, the levers need not project beyond the outer periphery of the plate. This tends to make the arrangement more compact. The operating levers for the switch-operating mechanism are of similar design and are located symmetrically at opposite sides of the operating shaft. These levers are interchangeable by mere reversing of one and displacing the same for the other.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a View in elevation of the time switch as enclosed in its casing;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan View in plan elevaticn of the time switch after it has been removed from the casing and showing particularly the operating mechanism and the switch contact unit;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the position of the operating levers and of the contact elements after the time mechanism h'as operated to break the contact elements;

Figure 4 is a view in section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side View similar to Figure 4 but in full showing more of the timing gears;

Figure 6 is a side view similar to Figures 4 and 5 but looking in a direction from the opposite side of the switch;

Figure 'l is a plan View of the timing mechanism with portions of the same removed and looking in the direction of the arrows 'l-l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 of one part of the timing mechanism and showing the manual lever for setting into operation the timing mechanism;

Figure 9 is a view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 5 and showing the coil spring and the escapement mechanism forming a part of the timingmechanism Figure l0 is a view of the supporting plate for the switch-operating mechanism, as viewed from its under side, and is taken along the line Iii-I0 of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 but taken along the line Il-ll of Figure 5 in order to show the ratchet device serving to lock the clock mechanism in its set position; and

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 but showing the release lever in its released position. Referring now to the figures, there is shown a clock or timing mechanism unit l5, a switchoperating mechanism unit IB adapted for attachment to the timing mechanism, and a switch contact unit I1 also adapted for attachment to the timing mechanism I5.

Referring particularly to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown the clock mechanism I5 including a pair of spaced circular plates I6 and I9 which are maintained in spaced relation by means of spacing elements 25. Extending through the plates I 8 and I9 are, respectively, axially alined openings 2l and 22 through which there extends a shaft 23 having a turning knob 24 on one end of the same. This knob is attached to the shaft 23 by screw-threaded means and adapted to be secured by a right-handed thread so that further tightening of the knob on the shaft will cause the shaft to be rotated to the right against action of a coil spring 25, as viewed in Figure l. Carried on the plate I8 are the pins 26 secured to which is the coil spring 25 to the other end of which is connected the shaft 23 by means of a projection 21 thereon extending through a slot 23 on the inner end of the spring 25. As the knob is turned to the right, the spring 2S will be tightened or wound onto the shaft 23. The shaft 23 has a shoulder portion 25 against which there abuts a hollow shaft 35 having a gear 3| thereon which serves to maintain the coil spring against the inner face of the plate I8. This hollow shaft 36 also extends through the opening 22 in the spaced plate I9 and has on its opposite end a gear 32. The shaft 3G r-otates relative to the shaft 23.

On the end of the shaft 25, removed from the turning knob 24, is a ratchet device indicated generally at 33 and secured to the shaft by means of a pin 34. This ratchet device includes a circular plate 35 on the face of which is a spring biased ratchet lever 35 adapted to engage with the gear 32. This lever 35 will rotate about the gear 32, and when the knob 24 has been turned to its proper location the lever will engage with the gear as the knob is released, see Figure 11. The gear 32 will not be turned, since it is retained through a gear mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Referring particularly to Figure l, it will be noted that there is associated with the knob 24 a dial 31 having indicia on its circumference, this indicia bearing numerals from to 12 and representative of the number of seconds of operation of the timing mechanism. As the knob is turned, the operator may select the number of seconds from the dial by locating the same at the index line 38 on the case. The switch when set off, by means to be described later, will then open the circuit and the dial will be returned so that its Zero mark registers again with the index 35. The timing mechanism will thus operate for the number of seconds selected.

Referring now particularly to Figure 5, it will be noted that there extends between the plates I8 and I9 a shaft 36 having a pinion gear 40 in engagement with the gear I, and this same shaft 39 has a large gear 4I in gearing relation with a second pinion 42, which pinion in turn has connected to it a large gear 43. This gear 43 is arranged to be controlled by an escapement mechanism 44, as seen more clearly in Figure 9. On this same gear 43 there is also provided means for controlling the operation of the timing mechanism. This means includes a lever 44 pivoted at 45 to the outer face of the plate I9. This lever 44 has a push-button 45 which the operator depresses to disengage a pin 41 on the free end of the lever 44 from the gear 43. As the operator does this, the spring 25 will act through the ratchet device 33 to drive the shaft 30 and the various gears above-mentioned to permit return of the dial 3'1 and its associated knob 24 back to its zero setting.

This push-button 46 is incidental to the mechanism and is only used by the operator in order to more accurately x the dial 31 at its proper location with respect to the index 3B and without the setting off of the switch proper. In other words, if the operator has moved the dial to a location more than what was necessary and desires to set the switch a less number of seconds, the operator may depress the button 46 to return the dial 31 to the desired setting.

Referring now particularly to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown the switch-operating mechanism I6. This switch-operating mechanism I6 includes a supporting plate 49 which is of similar dimension as the plates I8 and I9 forming the supporting structure of the timing mechanism I5.

This plate 49 has an opening 50 through which the rearward end of the shaft 23 extends and at opposite sides of which opening there is located, respectively, the levers 5I and 52 pivoted at their upper ends to the plate 49, as indicated at 53 and 54, respectively. These levers 5I and 52 are of identical shape and are interchangeable by mere reversing of their faces. These levers lie flat against the supporting plate 49 and therefore do not take up any great amount of axial space. Extending between the levers is a connecting element 55 having a lost-motion slot 55 adapted to fit over a pin 51 on the lever 52. The other end of the element 55 is pivotally connected to the lever 5I by means of a pin 53. Both of these levers are biased to a spread position, or oppositely with respect to each other, by means of the coil springs 60 and 6I. These coil springs are secured betwen the plate and the respective pins 58 and 51. The spring 60 has greater strength than the spring 6I and hence the tendency is to rotate both levers to the left and against the action of the spring 6I so that the levers 5I and 52 normally assume the positions as shown in Figure 2. The lower ends of the levers are respectively abutted inwardly and have downwardly projected engaging elements 62 and 63.

It should be noted that the plate 43 has been relieved to allow the projections 62 and 63 to extend to the side of the plate. It should be noted that this relief of the plate 49 is of segmenta1 form and that thereby the levers do not extend to a location beyond the general circumference of the plate 43 but are kept within the confines of the same and as well within the connes of the circular plates I8 and I9 of the timing mechanism I5.

Referring now particularly to Figures 10 and l2, there is pivoted on the under-side of the plate 49 a lever 64 adapted to swing about its pivot point 65 and held in a biased position by a spring 66 secured to the inner face of the plate 49. This spring 66 tends to maintain the lever 64 against rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 10. On this lever 64 is a pin 61 which extends through an opening 68 for engagement with a latch portion 69 on the lever 52. This pin 61, while round in shape, is relieved at its upper end so that there appears only a half round section 10, as seen in Figure 2. This half round section 10 has a diametrical face for engagement with the side of the latch projection 69. When this portion l is against the outer edge of the latch portion 59, the lever 52 is swung to the left as viewed in Figure 2 and against the action of its spring 6|. It is thus held in this position by the lever 64 and its pin 5l.

As viewed particularly well in Figure 1l, there is shown on the plate 35 of the ratchet device 33 a projected pin adapted to engage with the lever 64 when the operating mechanism unit has been mounted on the timing mechanism structure. The assembly of the operating mechanism unit is made readily to the timing mechanism unit by connecting the same to spacer elements 12 on the timing mechanism. The plate 49 is secured to the spacer elements |2 by means oi screw-like elements 13 circumferentially spaced about the plate 49. These screw elements have in turn screw openings accessible from their outer ends which will serve for the connecting of the casing 15 to the assembly. As the operating unit is connected to the timing mechanism |5, the pin 1| on the plate 35 of the ratchet device will become automatically locked with the lever 64. When the setting of the dial is at its Zero position, the pin 'H will abut the lever 54, but as the dial is turned the pin 'll will leave the lever and the lever will thereby be positioned for latching its pin 51 over the edge of the latch portion 69 of the lever 52.

As viewed in Figure l1 and as the ratchet device travels in the direction of the arrow, the pin 1| would travel around for engagement with the upper side of the lever 54 tothereby depress the same against the action of its spring 65 to move downwardly the engaging pin 51 so that it will slip over the end of the latch portion 59 to allow the lever 52 to move to the right under the action of its spring 6|.

The switch contacting unit includes a base plate 'l1 and vertically extending spring contacting elements I8 and 15. This unit is attached to the underside of the plate I9 of the clock mechanism l5 by means of the screws 85 and is thereby rigidly retained with respect to the same. It should thus be apparent that the contacting structure is in the form of a unit and attachable to the timing mechanism as such.

To these contacting elements 'i8 and 19 are connected the wires leading to the apparatus adapted to be controlled by the time switch. The switch-contacting unit is enclosed, as shown in Figure 1, by a hollow cylindrical casing portion 8| which is open at its bottom end to receive the wires and which is of such diameter that the same can be readily grasped by the operator. y

The contacting elements 18 and 19 extend upwardly for eventual engagement with the projections 52 and 53 of the respective levers 5| and 52 of the switch-operating mechanism. Due to the springiness of the contacting elements 18 and 'I9 and the way they are arranged in relationship to the pins 52 and 53 as viewed in Figure 2 upon the switch contacting unit being attached to the plate I9, the contacting element 'i8 is biased to open position while the contacting element 19 is biased to its closed position, all the while being out of, or if at all, in light engagement with the respective pins 52 and 53. On the contacting element 'I8 is a main depressing pin 32 which projects through the casing portion 8| to be accessible to the thumb of the operator. As the operator depresses the contacting element '|8, engagement will be made with the interconnecting electrical connection 83 to make electrical contact simultaneously with the starting of the operation of the timing mechanism. The operator holds down the main depressing pin 82 and does not release the same until after the timing mechanism has run out to automatically throw out the contacting element 19, as from its position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3.

As viewed particularly in Figures 7, 8, and 11, it will be noted that there is connected to the lever 44, an arm 84 extending in an opposite direction for alinement with the pin B2 of the lever 5|. Since the contacting element '18 engages with the pin 52, and the pin 52 engages the arm 84, the timing mechanism will be automatically set off as the contacting element '|8 is depressed by the operator for engagement with the electrical connection 83. As viewed in Figure 2, the timing mechanism having been previously set, the pin 63 which engages with the contacting element '|9 must have moved inwardly and out of contact with the contacting element 19 so as to permit thereby the engagement of the contacting element 19 with the electrical connection 83 so that as the depression is made of the contacting element 1S for contact of the same with the electrical connection 83, the electric time circuit will thereby be automatically completed and the timing mechanism will be automatically set in motion. Movement of the lever 5| independently of the lever 52 is permitted by the lost-motion slot 56 of the interconnecting link 55 extending between the levers 5| and 52.

As explained above and when the pin has been rotated by the timing mechanism to depress the lever 64, the electric circuit will remain closed, but as the lever 54 is depressed the spring 5| will cause a swinging movement to the right of the lever 52, the same having been released to cause thereby movement of the contacting element le away from its connection of the electric connection 83 to thereby break the circuit after a predetermined lapse of time. This opening of the circuit is done automatically and without the elTort of the operator. As the operator finally removes his thumb from the depressing pin 82,

the contacting element T8 will return to its normally open position as shown in Figure 2. The lever 5| and its pin 62 will be returned to the position'shown in Figure 2 by the spring 6U of greater strength than the spring 5| acting on the lever 52. The lever 52 by means of the link 55 after the slack in its slot 55 is taken up is drawn to the left to the position shown in Figure 2 and against the action of the spring 6| by the lever 5! and its larger spring 5U.

It should now be apparent that there has been provided an assemblage oi parts serving to make up an electric time switch which is so arranged and designed that the switch as a whole will take minimum space and that its casing can thereby be of small dimension. It should also be apparent that there has been provided an electric time switch which can be assembled in units, and these units automatically assembled one to the other to provide the completed time switch. As the units are assembled, the interconnected parts are automatically locked for their engagement by the parts of the other units. There is no need for the separate interconnection of parts upon the assembly of the supporting structures of the units. It should also be particularly noted that the parts of the operating mechanism have been symmetrically alined with one another and that certain of the same are interchangeable.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it should be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as deiined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric time switch, a supporting structure for the working parts including three spaced plates, a spring-operated power mechanism carried by two of the spaced plates and adapted to be wound by hand, said mechanism including a pawl and ratchet means having a projected part, a switch-operating mechanism carried wholly on the outer side of the third of said spaced plates, and said third plate having a slot therein through which the `projected part projects for engagement with the switch-operating mechanism at the end of a time interval determined by the amount `of hand winding given to the spring-operated mechanism, and said third plate supporting the switch-operating mechanism being independent of the spring-operated power mechanism and the pawl and ratchet mechanism, whereby said switch-operating mechanism may be assembled to be removed from the spring power mechanism and its associated pawl and ratchet means as a unit.

'2. In an electric time switch, `a supporting structure for the working parts including three spaced plates, a spring-operated power mechanism carried by two of the spaced plates and adapted to be wound by hand, said mechanism including a pawl and ratchet means having a projected part, a switch-operating mechanism carried wholly on the outer si-de of the third of said spaced plates, and said third plate having a relieved opening therein through which the projected `part projects for engagement with the switch-operating mechanism at the end of a time interval determined by the amount of hand winding given to the spring-operated mechanism, said switch-operating mechanism including a lever pivoted to the under face of said third plate and adapted to be engaged by said pawl and ratchet mechanism, said third plate having a slot through which a projection from said under lever extends, an actuating lever adapted for acting upon the switch contacts pivoted on the outer face of the third plate and adapted to be latched with the projection on the under lever, and said third plate supporting the switch-operating mechanism in its entirety and independently of the power mechanism and its associated pawl and ratchet means, whereby said switch-operating mechanism may be assembled to or removed from the spring power mechanism and its associated pawl and ratchet mechanism as a unit,

V3. In an electric time switch, a self-contained power-operating mechanism including a supporting ,structure and a pawl and ratchet device, a switch-operating mechanism formed as a unit and having a part adapted to be engaged by the sai-d pawl and ratchet device, said switch-operating mechanism including a supporting structure and operating levers thereon, and said switchoperating mechanism adapted to -be thereby assembled to said self-contained power-operating mechanism by the `connecting together of the supporting structures of the respective mechanisms with the `part of the switch-operating mechanism in alinement with the pawl and ratchet device of the power-operating mechanism.

4. In an electric time switch assembly, a selfcontained power-operating mechanism adapted to be set `to operate through a predetermined time interval and including a supporting structure and a pawl and ratchet device, a switch Contact unit carrying contact elements and connected as a unit to the power mechanism supporting structure, a switch-operating unit having a part adapted to be engaged by said pawl and ratchet device when connected to said power-operating mechanism, said switch-operating unit including operating levers adapted to engage with the contact element of the switch contact unit, whereby the time switch assembly comprises an assemblage of previously assembled units and wherein the cooperating parts of the respective units t with one another as the units are secured together.

5. In an electric time switch, a timing mechanism including a centrally alined shaft, a .supporting plate in substantially axial alinement with the shaft, a pair of operating levers, said plates serving as a support for the operating levers, said levers being of similar design and interchangeable one for the other by mere reversal of the same, said levers being substantially arranged on the supporting plates and at opposite sides of the centrally alined shaft, a lset of electric contacts adapted to be operated respectively by the operating levers and an interconnected element extending between the two levers and providing for a lost motion between the levers whereby one of the levers may be operated independently of the other lever, and means for causing operation of one of the levers by the timing mechanism.

6. In an electric time switch, a timing mechanism having a frame structure of symmetric design, a switch contact unit connected to the timing mechanism and including contact elements protruding into the connes of the timing mechanism frame structure, an operating device for the switch contact unit including a supporting plate connected to said timing mechanism and an operating lever pivoted on said plate, said supporting plate being relieved so as to leave uncovered that portion of the said timing mechanism frame structure immediately in alinement with the projected contact elements, and said lever having a projection extending through the relieved opening to the other side of its supporting plate for engagement with the projected contact element.

'7. In an electric time switch, three spaced supporting plates, timing mechanism parts carried by two of said spaced plates, said plates being of substantially circular design, said parts including a central shaft extending through a central opening in at least two of said plates, a switch contact unit connected to the intermediate one of said spaced plates and having contact elements adapted to be operated, operating levers having axially extending projections adapted for engagement with the respective Contact elements, the third plate serving as a support for the operating levers and said third plate having a segment removed from the same, whereby the axially extending projections of the lever may extend beneath the thir-d plate 'for engagement with the contact elements and still remain within the connes of the entire assembly.

8. In an electric time switch, three spaced supporting plates, timing mechanism parts carried by two of said spaced plates, said plates being cf :substantially circular design, .said Vparts including a central shaft extending through a central opening in at least two of said plates, a switch contact unit connected to 'the intermediate `one of said spaced plates and having contact elements adapted to be operated, operating levers having axially extending projections adapted for engagement With the respective contact elements, the third plate serving as a support for the operating levers and centrally alined with the other spaced plates, said levers being of similar design and interchangeable one for the other by mere reversal of the same, said lever further being substantially symmetrically arranged on the supporting plate and on opposite sides of the central shaft, and said third plate having a segment removed from the same whereby the axially extending projections of the lever may extend beneath the third plate for engagement With the Contact elements and still remain within the connes of the entire assembly.

FREDERICK W. STEINER. 

